National Psoriatic Disease Education Forum
Registration is Open: Join Canada’s First National Psoriatic Disease Education Forum
A free hybrid event bringing trusted information, lived experience and community together.
Date and time: Saturday, October 24, 2026, from 9:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. ET
Location: Courtyard by Marriott Toronto Airport, 231 Carlingview Drive, Etobicoke, Ontario
Cost: Free
Attendance options: In person or online
Living with psoriatic disease can leave you with questions that do not fit neatly into one appointment. How does psoriasis affect overall health? What support is available for children and youth? Why does access to care vary across Canada? At this Forum, patients, caregivers and others in the community can explore these questions, hear practical insights and connect with people who understand.
On Saturday, October 24, join Psoriasis Canada for our first National Community Psoriatic Disease Education Forum. People living with psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis will come together with caregivers, clinicians, researchers, advocates, students and community voices. This free hybrid event offers accessible learning, honest conversation and meaningful connections to help participants feel better informed and supported.
Why This Forum Matters
At Psoriasis Canada, we believe trusted medical information and lived experience belong in the same room. Patients and caregivers are not at the edge of this conversation. Their experiences help shape the questions we ask, the priorities we set and the systems that need attention.
The Forum will create a welcoming national space to hear evidence from experts, learn from people with first-hand experience and explore the broader questions that affect everyday care. It is not a substitute for personal medical advice, but it can help participants better understand the landscape of psoriatic disease and feel more prepared for future conversations with their own healthcare teams.
What We Will Explore
· The connections between psoriasis, psoriatic arthritis and overall health.
· Current research, emerging treatments and what new developments may mean for the community.
· Care, support and quality-of-life considerations for children, youth and their families.
· How people navigate treatment and access to care, including differences across urban, rural and remote communities.
· Patient experience, advocacy and practical ways to build stronger support around psoriatic disease.
Who Should Attend?
Whether you are newly diagnosed, have lived with psoriatic disease for years, support someone who does, or work or study in this field, this Forum is for you. Patients, caregivers, family members, healthcare professionals, researchers, students, trainees and advocates are all welcome. No previous knowledge is required—just curiosity and a desire to learn, connect and contribute.
Join From Wherever You Are
Join from wherever you are. If you live in the Toronto area, please consider joining us in person. Not in Toronto? Virtual registration provides live online access to the educational sessions, allowing participants across Canada to learn, ask questions and be part of the day without travelling. Sessions will be presented in English, and recordings with French subtitles will be available after the event. The registration form also includes space to share accessibility and dietary needs.
Questions: info@psoriasiscanada.ca
Agenda
| 9:00 | Connecting |
| 10:00 | Welcome and Opening Remarks by Psoriasis Canada |
| 10:30 - 11:15 | Keynote presentation - Psoriatic Disease Research and Treatment: Where We are and Where We’re Headed Speaker: Dr. Mark Kirchhof, Division Head of Dermatology in the Faculty of Medicine at the University of Ottawa and The Ottawa Hospital |
| 11:15-11:30 | Break with refreshments |
| 11:30-12:30 | Panel 1: Psoriatic Disease: More than Skin Deep Panelists describe research and fundamentals for managing common conditions associated with psoriasis. Speakers: Dr. Vinod Chandran, rheumatologist, clinician scientist at the Krembil Research Institute, University Health Network (UHN), Professor of Medicine at the University of Toronto and Dr. Dafna D. Gladman Chair in Psoriatic Arthritis Research at UHN Dr. David Macklin, family physician, lecturer at the University of Toronto Faculty of Medicine, and Medical Director at the Mount Sinai Hospital, High-Risk, Specialty Pregnancy BMI Unit Dr. Chris Ma: gastroenterologist, Associate Professor, Department of Medicine, University of Calgary |
| 12:30-1:30 | Lunch Break |
| 1:30-2:30 | Panel 2: Spotlight on Children and Youth Panelists explore research and fundamentals for supporting children, youth, and families impacted by psoriatic disease. Speakers: Dr. Dax Rumsey, Associate Professor, Faculty of Medicine & Dentistry – Pediatrics Department, University of Alberta Dr. Bailey Komishke, pediatrician with a subspecialty in pediatric dermatology, Calgary Alberta Fernanda Zedel: Youth speaker with lived experience |
| 2:30-3:30 | Panel 3: Navigating Care in Canada, Urban and Rural Perspectives Patient advocates provide perspectives and insights from their lived experience accessing care and treatment for psoriatic disease. Speakers: Cheya Cunanan Hina Hakim Shannon Goodfeather Sheldon Butt |
| 3:30-3:45 | Closing Remarks |
| 3:45-4:30 | Connecting with refreshments |
Meet Our Speakers
Our speakers are passionate leaders, advocates, researchers, and professionals dedicated to advancing understanding and driving positive change. Through their experience and expertise, they will offer valuable perspectives and actionable insights throughout the forum.
Dr. Mark Kirchhof,
Keynote Speaker
Bio
Dr. Mark Kirchhof is the Division Head of Dermatology in the Faculty of Medicine at the University of Ottawa and The Ottawa Hospital. He is also the current President of the Canadian Dermatology Association (2026) with a strong focus on advocacy and defending the dermatology specialty from encroachment. After receiving his Bachelor of Science in molecular biology from McMaster University, Dr. Kirchhof completed his medical degree and PhD at Western University in London, Ontario. His PhD research involved studies of the signalling pathways important to immune system regulation. He then went on to complete his dermatology residency at the University of British Columbia in Vancouver, British Columbia. He has published over 110 papers and is invited to speak nationally and internationally.
Dr. Vinod Chandran
Associated Conditions Panel
Bio
Vinod Chandran MBBS, MD, DM, PhD, FRCPC, a rheumatologist, is a clinician scientist at the Krembil Research Institute, University Health Network (UHN), Professor of Medicine at the University of Toronto and holds the Dr. Dafna D. Gladman Chair in Psoriatic Arthritis Research at UHN. He is an expert in psoriatic arthritis and directs the Gladman Krembil Psoriatic Arthritis Program at the Schroeder Arthritis Institute. His translational research program is focused on developing biomarker-based diagnostic and prognostic tools for psoriatic arthritis, with support by grants from the Canadian Institutes of Health Research, the National Psoriasis Foundation, the Arthritis Society, and the Krembil Foundation. He has published more than 250 papers. He is an elected member of the Group for Research and Assessment of Psoriasis and Psoriatic Arthritis (GRAPPA- an international organization facilitating research and education on the diagnosis and treatment of psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis) Board of Directors and its Co-Vice President.
Dr. Christopher Ma
Associated Conditions Panel
Bio
Christopher Ma, MD MPH, is an Associate Professor in the Department of Medicine, University of Calgary. His clinical practice primarily focuses on difficult to treat Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis and his research is focused on the design and execution of clinical trials in IBD.
Dr. David Macklin
Associated Conditions Panel
Bio
Dr. David Macklin, MD, CCFP, is an internationally recognized leader in the clinical treatment of obesity and a sought-after speaker and educator. He is a Clinician Teacher and Lecturer at the University of Toronto’s Temerty Faculty of Medicine, serves as Medical Director of multiple Canadian medical obesity treatment programs, and is staff at Mount Sinai Hospital in Toronto. He has published extensively, including co-authoring the behaviour and psychology chapter of the globally celebrated Canadian Obesity Clinical Practice Guidelines. He is also the creator of the Macklin Method a global obesity-treatment training program that equips clinicians with practical, evidence-based strategies for everyday patient care.
Dr. Dax Rumsey
Child and Youth Panel
Bio
Dr. Dax G. Rumsey is a pediatric rheumatologist and associate professor of pediatrics at the University of Alberta and Stollery Children’s Hospital in Edmonton, AB.
Dax was born and raised in God’s country – Torbay, Newfoundland. He completed his BSc and MD in Newfoundland, pediatric residency in Saskatoon, SK, and pediatric rheumatology subspecialty residency at SickKids in Toronto.
Since moving to Edmonton in 2014, he has developed a clinical and research interest in Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis (JIA) – particularly in the ERA and Psoriatic JIA categories. He is also the Division Director of pediatric rheumatology and the Director of Faculty Engagement for the Department of Pediatrics at the University of Alberta. He is married and has 6 wonderful children.
Dr. Bailey Komishke
Child and Youth Panel
Bio
Dr. Bailey Komishke is a pediatrician with subspecialty training in Pediatric Dermatology from the Hospital for Sick Children (SickKids) in Toronto. Dr. Bailey practices community pediatric dermatology in Calgary, Alberta and also provides locum coverage for her colleagues in Edmonton including the Stollery Children’s Hospital. She has special interest in inflammatory pediatric skin diseases like psoriasis and atopic dermatitis. She has also been living with psoriasis since her early adulthood and is happy to share her professional and personal experiences living with and treating pediatric patients with psoriasis.
Fernanda Zedel
Child and Youth Panel
Bio
Fernanda Zedel is a 22 year old undergraduate student studying Ocean and Naval Engineering at Memorial University of Newfoundland. Having lived with arthritis from a young age, Fernanda has firsthand experience navigating the challenges of chronic illness throughout childhood, adolescence, and now into adulthood.
Her experiences living with arthritis have led her to become involved in patient advocacy and initiatives supporting young people living with rheumatic diseases. She is currently involved with Take a Pain Check and is interested in using her own experiences to contribute to conversations about the challenges young people with arthritis can face.
Outside of advocacy, Fernanda is an active member of her university community. She serves as the Logistics Coordinator for Memorial Medtech, a student driven biomedical engineering design team. Earlier this year, the team placed first at the True North Biomedical Competition. Fernanda is also the class representative for her engineering cohort, where she helps represent her classmates and communicate with faculty. Outside of university, she works as a lifeguard and lead instructor, a role she has held for several years.
Fernanda hopes that sharing her experiences can help increase awareness and understanding of what it is like to grow up and navigate young adulthood while living with arthritis.
Hina Hakim
Navigating Care Panel
Bio
Hina Hakim is a dental surgeon with a PhD in Public Health and lived experience with psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis. Her personal journey has given her a deep understanding of the physical and emotional challenges of chronic illness, including stigma, visible symptoms, persistent pain, and delays in receiving answers and appropriate care.
For years, Hina searched for explanations and support while learning to manage the effects of her conditions. Although the journey was difficult, it strengthened her resilience and deepened her empathy for others facing similar challenges.
Today, Hina shares her story to raise awareness and help break the silence surrounding psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis. She believes that education, compassion, and honest conversations can reduce stigma and improve the lives of people living with chronic illness.
Through her courage, perseverance, and hope, Hina encourages others to speak openly, seek support, and advocate for their health.
Cheryl Ann (Cheya) Cunanan
Navigating Care Panel
Bio
Cheya Cunanan is a Vancouver-based professional who has lived with psoriasis for many years. Originally from the Philippines, she moved to Canada and experienced firsthand what it is like to move to a new country and navigate a new healthcare system while managing a chronic condition.
Before moving to Canada, Cheya was an active member of Psoriasis Philippines (PsorPhil). She was part of the pioneer batch of PsorPhil Coaches, supporting others living with the condition, and served as a moderator at community activities and events. She was also one of the hosts of PsorPhil’s YouTube program, Weekends with PsorPhil, and actively participated in numerous World Psoriasis Day celebrations and other community initiatives.
These experiences, together with her own patient journey, have shaped her belief in the importance of community, access to information, and patient empowerment.
Professionally, Cheya has a background in communications, employer engagement, and talent attraction. At the Forum, she will share her experience navigating psoriasis care in Canada as a newcomer, including the challenges she encountered, what helped her along the way, and what she wishes she had known when she first arrived.
Shannon Goodfeather
Navigating Care Panel
Bio
My name is Shannon Goodfeather. I am from Standing Buffalo Dakota Nation, Saskatchewan. I am 42 years old and was diagnosed with psoriasis 10 years ago. This developed into psoriatic arthritis. There have been many struggles with this diagnosis as I am rural. Moving forward with positivity I believe that there is room for change and advocacy to help with these types of diagnoses and the challenges that come along with it. I look forward to helping advocate for these changes with good intentions and positivity.
Sheldon Butt
Navigating Care Panel
Bio
Sheldon is a Mechanical Designer with 25+ years of work experience in the Alberta Oil & Gas Industry. He enjoys fishing, hunting and spending time with family & friends. He volunteer’s in his local community of Medicine Hat, Alberta and loves new challenges.
Forum Sponsors
Champion Sponsors: Organon Canada, Knight Therapeutics
Supporting Sponsors: Bausch Health, Canada Inc., Innovative Medicines Canada,
Community Sponsors: Eli Lilly and Company, LEO Pharma